Catalan Bragging Rights! Barcelona Sink Espanyol As Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski Net Late

Barcelona registered a 2-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday in the derby between the rivals to go seven points clear at the top of La Liga as late strikes from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski helped Hansi

Flick and Co.

The champions were mostly outplayed by their city rivals and relied on goalkeeper Joan Garcia to keep them in the derby against his former team until Olmo scored in the 86th minute.

Fermin Lopez set up Olmo’s goal and then provided the assist for Lewandowski’s second as Barcelona claimed their ninth consecutive league victory, ending Espanyol’s streak of five wins in a row.

“I don’t know if we’re favourites for La Liga or not… but we’re in a good dynamic and we have an advantage over Real Madrid, and our objective is to keep that advantage,” said Lopez.

Manolo Gonzalez’s side, fifth in the league, deserved at least a point from a typically intense battle at the RCDE Stadium before the late goals from the two Barcelona substitutes.

Espanyol fans gave Garcia a particularly hostile reception, as he became their first player in over 30 years to transfer to Barcelona in the summer.

The hosts placed large safety nets behind the goals to protect Barcelona’s goalkeeper, who faced constant jeering and projectiles from fans waving banners with pictures of rats.

Despite the hostility, Garcia made two crucial first-half saves, keeping the teams level at halftime.

“Joan is incredible, a great goalkeeper. Playing against his old fans, he had a great game and got a clean sheet,” Olmo told Movistar.

“He will give us a lot — he’s giving us that and he will give us so much more too, I’m sure.”

In a tense first half, there were few clear chances, with Barcelona’s attacks being stopped before they became dangerous, and Espanyol having the best opportunities.

Striker Roberto Fernandez broke past Barcelona’s high line, going one-on-one, but Garcia blocked his shot and then cleverly used team-mate Gerard Martin to stop Pere Milla’s follow-up.

Garcia then made a stunning save to prevent Milla’s header from going into the net.

Garcia’s impressive performances last season helped Espanyol stay in the top flight, but he made the rare move across the city when the champions called.

Garcia’s replacement, Marko Dmitrovic, made a fine save from Jules Kounde’s header early in the second half.

Barcelona’s goalkeeper was called into action again as Fernandez broke through on goal, with Garcia pushing the ball to safety as the forward tried to round him.

Kounde cleared off the line and Garcia tipped Fernandez’s near-post shot away as Espanyol continued to pressure Hansi Flick’s side.

Barcelona’s first clear chance came in the 70th minute, falling to Eric Garcia from close range, but Dmitrovic made an astonishing save to keep the scores level.

Eventually, three of Flick’s substitutes combined to secure the win for Barcelona.

Lopez drove forward and found Olmo, who fired a shot into the top right corner to break the deadlock. It was Olmo’s first appearance in over a month after dislocating his shoulder.

Lewandowski added the second in the 90th minute with another fine run from Lopez into the area, completing Barcelona’s hard-fought victory.